Facebook is reportedly furnishing the FBI with data on users who took part in the U.S. Capitol siege, including their private messages discussing the deadly attack, Forbes reported Saturday.
The report cites a criminal complaint filed against New York resident Christopher M. Kelly on Wednesday, indicating that a search warrant on his Facebook account was revealed. “After being tipped off about Facebook posts from an account belonging to Kelly containing images of him at the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, the FBI sought his private messages, as well as his linked IP address, phone number and Gmail address,” Forbes reports.
Amongst the data provided by Facebook were private messages with other users. In a private message sent to a group chat on January 6, he wrote: “Tear gas, police, stopped the hearing, they are all headed to the basement.” And later: “F**k these snakes. Out of OUR HOUSE!”
In another chat, on January 9, Kelly posted a photograph that appeared to show him with his top off, brandishing an American flag in front of the Capitol, telling the recipient: “That’s me,” and, ”My brother took it,” the complaint says.
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Facebook’s decision to cooperate with authorities came after lawmakers called on the social media giant to do so, according to the report.
An arrest warrant has been issued against Kelly. He remains innocent until proven guilty.
